Israel escalates Gaza attacks ahead of elections, dozens killed

Gaza City witnessed a somber scene on Tuesday as families gathered to bury the dead after a series of Israeli airstrikes resulted in dozens of fatalities, including several children. Health officials in the enclave reported that the latest attacks targeted residential neighborhoods in the northern and central sectors, striking homes that housed displaced families who had fled earlier bombardments. The Ministry of Health said the death toll rose to 48, with 12 of the victims identified as minors, while rescue teams worked to retrieve bodies from rubble amid ongoing shelling.

Humanitarian agencies described the burials as part of a growing wave of grief that has overwhelmed local cemeteries, which are now operating at capacity. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned that the continued violence is exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation, with limited access to medical care, clean water, and shelter for the displaced population. International calls for a cease‑fire and the protection of civilians have intensified as the conflict enters its third week, underscoring the urgent need for measures to prevent further loss of life.